Implement for forming post-holes.



N0. 7s5,s45.- PATENTBD AUG. 1a, 1903. v H. n. sow.

IMPLEMENT FOR FORMING POST HOLES.

APPLICATION FILED FEE- 6. 1903. N0 MODEL.

FIG. 1. FIG. 2. FIG. 3. PIG-.4.

lllllllll/l lll q NITFD STATES Patented August 18, 1903.

ATENT 0 FFICE.

'IIARMOND DAVID SORG, OF OAKIIARBOR, OHIO.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,645, dated August 18, 1903.

Application filed February 5, 1903. Serial No. 141,971. (No model-) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARMOND DAvIn Sons, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakharbor, in the county of Ottawa and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Implements for Forming Post-Holes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is the provision of means for forming post-holes in the ground to receive driven posts, the said means to be simple in construction, cheap in first cost, so constructed that the point thereof can be readily sharpened or renewed when dulled or injured, provided with means for allowing the entrance of air to the bottom of the hole in the ground for facilitating the withdrawal of the implement, and which, withal, shall constitute a superior instrumentality for performing the requisite functions.

My invention consists in certain novelties of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

The accompanying drawings illustrate four examples of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best modes I have so far devised for the practical application of the principle.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first example of the implement or tool. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the second example. Fig. 3 is a third example. Fig. 4. is a fourth example. Fig. 5 shows the vent-rod of the first and second examples. Fig. 6 shows the removable point of the fourth example.

Referring to the several figures, the numeral 1 designates the plunger, which in all the examples except the first is cylindrical in shape, the latter being tapered, as shown.

2 is the main body of the plunger; 3, the frusto-conical end; 4, a longitudinal passage through the plunger; 5, the handle; 6, the conical point, and 7 a set-screw.

In the first two examples the numeral 8 designates a longitudinal passage through the plunger; 9, arod; 10, the enlarged end of the rod, shaped to conform when in one position to the opening 11 in the surface of the cone at 12 so as to close the opening and present a smooth surface and when rotated to provide an opening for the passage of air; 13, an arm on the rod, and 14: is a lug 011 the handle with a hearing or bearin gs for the upper end of the rod.

In the third example grooves 15, of any suit able number, are formed in the external surface of the body of the plunger for allowing air to pass to the bottom of the hole in the ground prior to the withdrawal of the imple ment.

In the fourth example, 1 (3 is a passage through the end of the handle, which in this case has its lower end threaded to match the threaded upper end of the passage through the plunger. 17 is a removable and adjustable stem and point; 18, a slot in the stem; 19, a recess within which loosely fits the end of the screw proper, and 20 is an extension of the screw passing through the slot in the stem and anchored in the plunger.

The method of using the first two examples will be readily understood from an inspection of the drawings. When the plunger is thrust into the ground, the rod occupies the position shown in Fig. 2, the lower part thereof closing the opening in the surface of the cone. Vhen the plunger is to be withdrawn, the rod is rotated, opening the passage to the bottom of the hole in the ground, so air can enter and fill the vacuum which would normally exist by the close pressure of the dirt against the cone and surface of the plunger. This enables the plunger to be withdrawn with ease, which otherwise would be difficult, owing to atmospheric pressure upon the top of the plunger. In the second example air can pass to the bottom of the hole by way of the grooves in the external surface of the plunger. In the fourth example the act of withdrawing the plunger causes an opening to be formed at 21, inasmuch as the stem is self-adjustable in two directions relative to the screw 7, whereby air may pass to the bottom of the hole by way of the passage in the handle, and thus destroy the vacuum.

It will be observed that in the first example the body of the plunger is slightly tapered, whereas in the second example the body is cylind rical; also, that in the first three examples the point or end of the rod can be resharpened when necessary and the rod adjusted by means of the set-screw.

Vhile I have shown only four examples of the physical embodiment of my invention, I do not thereby intend to limit the scope thereof to such examples, inasmuch as the improvements may be embodied in other forms. Moreover, changes, alterations, and additions may be made in practice which will not constitute substantial departures.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An implement for forming post-holes in the ground comprising a plunger with a cylindrical body portion and tapering end and a longitudinal passage, a handle of less diam eter than the plunger within the passage of the plunger, and means in connection with the implement for allowing air to pass to the bottom of the hole in the ground when the implement is to be withdrawn and for destroying the vacuum at the end of the plunger.

2. A pointed implement for forming postholes in the ground, including a plunger having a cylindrical body portion with a tapering end and with a central longitudinal passage therein and a handle adjustable relative to the cylindrical body portion.

3. An implement for forming holes in the ground embracing a handle and plunger and said plunger having a passage or passages entirely open to the atmosphere for the direct admission of air to the bottom of the hole in the ground.

4:. An implement for forming post-holes in the ground comprising a handle with a point and a longitudinally-perforated plunger of larger diameter than the handle and with a frusto-conical end; said handle being adj ustable within the perforation of the plunger so that the point may project beyond the end of the plunger, and the handle entirely be removed from the plunger.

5. A pointed implement for forming holes in the ground embracing a plunger having a cylindrical body portion provided with a tapering end and a handle, the point being adjustable to match the end of the plunger.

6. An implement for forming holes in the ground having a plunger with a frusto-conical end, a handle with a point which extends beyond the end of the plunger and means for anchoring the point and handle in fixed positions relative to the plunger.

'7. An implement for forming holes in the ground embracing a plunger, a handle adjustable within a passage formed in the body of the plunger and a set-screw engaging the handle for looking it in place.

8. An implement for forming holes in the ground embracing a plunger, a handle with a conical point, and a set-screw in the plunger and engaging the handle.

9. An implement for forming holes in the ground provided with a plunger with a frustoconical end and handle with a conical point, and said plunger having a passage therein for the admission of air to the bottom of the plunger.

10. An implement for forming holes in the ground provided with a cylindrical plunger with a frusto-conical end and handle, and said plunger having a passage communicating directly with the atmosphere and means for closing the passagewhen the plunger is thrust into the ground and opening the passage when the plunger is to be withdrawn.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of'two witnesses.

HARMOND DAVID SORG.

Witnesses:

OHAs. I-I. GRAvEs, E. B. HUYoK. 

